The Sunday herald., 1887-01-16
as he instiuo,ie,ly rcalised who the in,rude,

defereptfally, yet with somewhat peremp
tory air.
"That is my name," said Jack.
"This will explain my business" said the
stranger, depositing his bag on the chair in
the hall, and removing his hat.
Jack glanced vaguely at the document the
other banded TO him, which appeared TO
abound in such outlandish words as "baili-
wick. "chattels," and other legal phrase-
ology, aud then returned II.
"You come from Mr.. Lazarus, | supposed 7"
said Jack, turning very white and faint.
"I'm the sherif's officer" answered the
man; "suit Of tbs party you name, believe,
SIR"
"Come this way" said Jack, closing the
hall door, ani lea ling the way into the din.
ing.room.
The officer tramped in after him, aud, In
obedience to motion from Jack, seated him
self npon one Of the chairs which were
ranged against the wall.
"This is very unfortunate. I hoped that
Mr.. Lazarus would have shown little for
bearance, aud waited until after to morrow"
said Jack, plucking up his spirits a little,
and facing the eficer.
Cant be helped, sir. Unpleasant for all
parties," said the man, not unsympatheti
oally.
"Would II not be possible, upon my Civ
ing you a written promise to hold you harm.
less, for you to leave until the day after TO.
morrow 7" inquired Jack, significantly put
ting his hand in his pocket.
'Tmpcssible," said the man.
Jack could not help b,iug stru,k by the
resolu,e tone in which the man spoke, as II
conveyed clearly that he was incorruptible.
with skin like dried parchment, and very
bushy black eyebrows. In spite OF his
shabby attire, he seemed rather above his
occupation. and as though he had seen bet
| ter days.
"Anything can do 10 make things pleas.
ant I'm agreeable to 6o," said the man.
| "You can put me anywhere out Of the way.
I'm used 10 being put In holes and corners. y
"What will my wife say :" exclaimed
Jack, half involun'a ari'y, with a desperate
gesture.
doesn't The lady know ?" inquired the
man.
"No," said Jack, sullsnly, repenting OF
his display of feeling. "I am not acquainted
with the procedure in these matters, !" he
added, after a pause. "What happens
What are your duties 7"
"I remain here for few days." said the
man. ''If you can pay me out in that tins,
we'll and good, hut II not
The officer concluded with an Ominous
shake Of the head, which conveyed to poor
Jacks mind a dismal vision of an auction
sale, with the stair-carpets hanging out Of
the landing windows, and the front OF the
house placarded with bills. He uttered a
dismal groan as he thought Of his poor
wife's dismav at the prospect.
"If could only put of telling her TN
after Christmas Day." he murmured.
''Well, sir, that might bs managed
/ I,,st otI
tell her who am."
GLOW am to account for you, then - in.
quired Jack dolefully.
"Say I'm friend come TO stay for a day
or two," replied the man readily. "I'vt
known that done before now"
"a friend!" exclaimed Jack, survey ip(
the officer doubtfully.
"Well, sir, amt much to look at,
kuow," said the man imperturbably. "l'u
rough, but know how to behave myself
aud for that matter, I've known Austria
lians, Or"
'Australians! By Jovei that is a goot
ideal" cried Jack. ~ have cousin wht
has been twenty years in Queensland, auC
I'm told that he is decidedly rough dia
mond. He has just returned, but my wifi,
has never seen him."
"Just as you like, SIR" said the ma,
with grin.
81 really think it might ba managed, jus
to help us over to morrow, and to enabl
the wife aud youngsters TO enjoy Christina
Day, at all events" said Jack, insensibl,
arguing the matter aloud with his own scru
pies.
"Christmas comes but once year, it's
true, sir" said the man, land should b.
sorry to make things uncomfortable.
"Do You think you could keep up the de
csption i'' demanded Jack.
The man replied 30 confidently in tn,
affirmative, and appeared SO thoroughly L
relish the plan, that Jack raised IL
further objection. He rang for the servant
and ostentatiously ordered him to get read
the spare room for his cousin, Mr.. Royston
and, as the officer readily adopted his sug
gestions for improving his personal appear
anos, Jack began to feel saDguine of the sue
CESS of the manGuvre. The man lool,e'
fairly presentable after he had brushed hi
hair neatly, aud arrayed himself in oertail
articles judiciously selected from jack
wardrobe, while he produced from his bag
coat of his own, which, though not of fash
ionable cut and texture, was not calculates
to excite remark.
~ think you will do" said Jack, survey
ing him critically, but not without secret mis-
givings. 81 can tell my wife that you ha
no intention Of staying, 30 that had TO Civ
you rig-out."
"And can say that, having only recentl
returned. hadn't had time to 60 to tai!o
yeti" added the man, who, by the way, in
formed Jack that his name was Johnson.
} "Quite So" said Jack. "You had better
though, leave tie talking to me as much a
possible; still, there is not much fear of yo,,
getting upon dangerous ground, as my viii
knows nothing Of my Cousins antecedent
or Of his branch of the family
'Royston. you said my name was to be
didn't you 7" inquired the man.
"Y.s, John Royston. will call yo
John, and you had better call me Jack, til
d. the day after Tomorrow" said Jack with
grimace.
st would be as well If you could tel
! me somsthing about your cousin" suggeste
Mr.. Johnson.
81 don't know much about him." sal.
Jack, glancing nervously at the clock, whcl
) warned him that his wife and childre
: might return at any moment. "Hs wa
{ born at Carlisle, aud has been sheep farm
ing in Queensland for twenty years past
D BY Jovel friend Of mine, sea captain
named George Alloway, came across m
7 cousin in Queensland few years back.
is lucky | thought of that, as my wife ma
2 mention his name to you. 1 remember AL
D loway telling us great deal about hi,
once how he was rather q queer sort Of fol
3 low. little touched in ths head, Georg
I said, owing TO suustroke; eccentric. bu
l open handed and generous. wish ha
/, found him so, added poor Jack.
= "Capt. George Alloway! willrsmembr
I the name" said Mr.. Johnson.
Jack employed the remaining intsrvs
. which elapsed before his wife returned i
giving his companion disjointed reminscer
. ces Of his cousin, with such scraps OF famil
. history as seemed likely TO prove usefu
= Mr.. Johnson displayed a quiet confidence !
: preparing himself for his part, which II
8 spired Jack with great faith in his ability ,
] carry ont the deception but nevertheless b
4 felt uncomforiaby nervous and i'll at eas
= when his wife, heralded by noisy advanc
. guard OF happy youngsters, at length mad
= her appearance.
i, my dear, here Is my cousin. John Roy
j ton, whom you have heard me speak o
o We met by accident, ard | insisted upo
. bringing him here, and keeping him pri,
4 oner over 10 morrow" cried Jack, in gre;
II trepidation, "a his wife entered the room.
Il 1t was, perhaps, a' we'll for Jack that IL
u Babel OF young voices almost drowned Ia
& faltering accents, and ii was certainly luck
- that his wife, with natural curiosity, imm.